Report backs ‘wider scope’ of further education

A MAJOR report to Government endorsing the work of the further education sector strengthens the case for it to be restructured, teachers have claimed.

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) report on the sector shows a growing percentage of 30,000 Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) students are older people returning to education or come from poorer backgrounds.

It also reveals up to 40% use their qualifications to enter courses in institutes of technology and university or other training and education, while around two-thirds of PLC students are women.